12 criminals from Sunderland and Wearside who have been jailed so far this year
By Kevin Clark
Published 7th Feb 2020, 11:00 BST
Updated 8th Feb 2020, 18:13 BST
Wearside criminals kept the courts busy last month.
Here is a round up of a dozen criminals who were jailed for various different crimes including murder, rape and theft.
1. Christopher Graham
Graham left victim Simon Bowman's fingers and toes "scattered" on the floor next to his mutilated body after a "revenge" killing
Mr Bowman suffered a shocking catalogue of more than 100 sites of injury, including 30 to his head and neck, caused by more than one weapon.
Graham, of Washington, admitted killing his victim during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last year but claimed he acted in self defence.
The 30-year-old told jurors he had picked up a "heavy object" to protect himself at a time when he thought Mr Bowman, who he was staying with, was about to rape or kill him but said he remembered nothing about the killing itself.
He was found guilty of murder after less than an hour's deliberation by a jury.
Jailing him for life, Judge Paul Sloan QC today said he rejected outright that Graham had acted in self defence during the killing and said he must serve at least 26 years behind bars before he can apply for parole. Photo: Northumbria Police
Pervert Andrew Copeland was jailed for three years for secretly filming 11 people for his own sexual gratification.
Copeland 57, used cameras to make 53 still and 145 moving images of his victims.
Newcastle Crown Court heard he gave the files a range of sexualised names including ‘pornstar’, degrading the unsuspecting targets of his behaviour further.
One victim impact statement read to the court said: "I hated my life because of him."
Copeland, of Dock Street, Sunderland pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism and three counts of making indecent images of children. Photo: northumbria police
Wilson, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, was sentenced to eight years, six months for his part in a terrifying burglary in which three men burst into a Sunderland home while armed and smashed up the property.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the 30-year-old entered the address in St Luke's Road in the early hours, alongside Brian McDonagh, 27, and Scott Wilson, 30.
Outlining the aggravated burglary offence Mr Graham said the female occupant heard a crashing noise in the living room and saw two bricks had been thrown through a window. She then heard a voice shouting for her partner, John Smart, to come outside.
About 45 minutes later two men, McDonagh and Wilson, burst through the front door and started "smashing things up" in the living room, McDonagh using a machete and Wilson a bottle. MacLeod was in the hallway. The court heard he was in possession of a knife while in the house.
All three men pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary with intention to cause criminal damage.
Wilson also pleaded guilty to being in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in May 2018 by committing the offence Photo: Northumbria Police
As well as the aggravated burglary, McDonagh also pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody and possession of an offensive weapon.
Judge Stephen Earl sentenced McDonagh, of Mortimer Street, Sunderland, to eight years, four months in prison. Photo: Northumbria Police